Directory



Jan. 15, 1935. G. J. CHAPMAN DIRECTORY Filed DSG. 25, 1933 Patented Jan. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

My invention particularly relates to directories having the tabulated and classified data thereof in small characters so as to permit the inclusion cf a large amount of such data in small compass.'

Preferably, the data is displayed in such small .characters asto require the assistance of a lens of high magnifying power in order to enable the operator readily to locate and accurately to read the desired information. My invention lends itself for use in many fields which require directories or indices, but I have found my invention particularly adaptable for use as a telephone directory, so that the principle of my invention is illustrated in this application by reference to such a directory. Insofar as I am informed, the best method of obtaining the small sized characters adaptable for use in my directory is to reduce in size, by well-known photographic methods, the usual compilation of the directory data which is printed in type large enough to permit reading thereof by the average person without the aid of magnifying lenses, for instance, the pages of the usual telephone directory.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying my invention, such means disclosing, however, but two of the various forms in which the principle of the invention may be embodied.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my invention suitably arranged for use as a telephone directory;

Figure -2 is a longitudinal vertical section of one form of my invention, taken in the planes indicated by the line 22, Figures 1 and 3;

' Figure 3 is a plan section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 3 3, Figures 2 and 4;

Figure 4 is a side view of certain transmission elements forming part of the telephone directory and taken from the plane indicated by the line 4-4, Figure 3;

Figure 5'is a broken fragmentary view of a flexible film cr ribbon upon which the minutesized tabulated data, such as the names of the telephone users and their respective ltelephone numbers, is displayed, the arrangement or classification of the data thus shown upon this lm being one which lends itself to a quick, accurate, and convenient use of my improved directory;

Figure 6 is a side view of a telephone set, to the post of the instrument of which my improved directory is clamped; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section of amodiflcation. t

Referring to the annexed drawing in which vthe same parts are indicated by the same respective,

numbers in the several views, I provide a casing 1 of any suitable form, but preferably rectangular in plan section, having extended from one side y thereof a concave boss 2 which, in conjunction with a concavo-convex clamp strap 3, forms a 5- circular hole 4 adapted to receive the post 5 of a telephone set 6, whereby the directory may be secured to the post 5 through the medium of the screws '7 which engage the boss 2 and clamp 3, as clearly shown in Figure 3. A cap-like extension 8 formed upon the yside of the casing 1 opposite to that from which the boss 2 extends provides a chamber 24 for certain operating elements hereinafter clearly described. An insulating cover or cap 9 extended from the casing member 8 forms a chamber 63 for lamp conductors and an insulated switch controlling the lamp line, as will be fully hereinafter explained. If it is so desired to mount the directory', it may be secured to a building wall or other suitable support by means of the ears 66.

Secured to a pair of transverse shafts 10 and 11 mounted at their ends in the two sides of the casing 1, are a pair of spaced rollers 12 and 13 upon one of which, in one direction of travel, a flexible lm or ribbon 14 is adapted to be wound and from the other of which the ribbon 14 is adapted to be unwound, this ribbon 14 displaying in small characters the names ofthe telephone users and their respective telephone numbers. In the other direction of travel, the-ribbon 14 is oppositely wound and unwound. The rolls 12 and 13 are rotated by'means hereinafter fully described, and are turnable in either direction up to the limits of the ribbon length, to unwind the ribbon from one roll and to Wind it upon the other.- The' respective endsof the ribbon 14 are secured to the rolls l2 and 13 by means of plate spring fasteners l5 having claws 16 at free ends thereof which grip the respective ribbon ends and thus resiliently hold the ribbon, the spring fasteners l5 being contained within narrow recesses 1'7 formed in the rolls 12 and 13 and being secured by screws 18 to plane chord-like portions 19 formed upon -the rolls 12 and 13.

Exterior manual control of the rotation of the rolls 12 and 13 is afforded by a hand wheel 20 secured to the outer end of a shaft 21 mounted in the casing member 8 and the insulating housing 9, and cooperating mechanisms hereinafter fully described. The shaft 2l is laterally movable inwardly and outwardly of the casings 8 and v 9 by pulling upon or pushing the hand .wheel 20, in addition to being rotatable by the hand wheel 20, aridin three of its lateral positions, the shaft 21 is effective for certain operations necessary to the manipulation after clearly described. A pinion 22 is secured to the inner end of 'the shaft 21. Mcmntedupon a pin 23 secured in the casing member 8is a unitary transmission unit consisting of a central pinion 25 and laterally opposed encircling internal and external gears 28 and 27, respectively. Engsins the internal gear 28 is an idler pinion 28 mounted upon a pin 29 supported by the casing member 8. The three lateral positions of the shaft 21, hereinbefore mentioned, effective for use and manipulation of the directory, are as follows: In the nrst place, the hand wheel 20 securedtothe shaft 21 isshown lnfull llnesin Figure 3 in an idle position which is ed'ective for maintaining a lamp turned oil', as hereinafter fully described; in the second place, an intermediate position of the shaft 2l causes the driven pinion 22 to engage the pinion 25 to effect the rotation of the internal and external gears 28 and 27 at a certain speed; ,and in the third place, an outer position of the shaft 21 effects the engagement of the driven pinion 22 with the idler pinionA 28 to eifect the rotation of the internal and external gears 28 and 27 at a certain speed materially slower than that of the intermediatev position of the shaft 21.l The intermediate position of the hand wheel 20 is shown in Figure 3 by dotted lines, and the outer position of said hand wheel is shown in said ngure by dot-anddash lines. It is evident, from the transmission set-up that the rotation oi.' the internal andextemal gears 28 and 27 effected by the intermediate position of the shaft 2l.is materially faster than the rotation of said gears effected by the outer position of the shaft 21. The purpose of these diiferential speeds will be hereinafter fully described. It is also evident that both the internal gear 28 and the external gear 27 rotate together at both speeds, since they are both parts of a unitary ton element which also includes the pinion 25. These speeds are communicated to the'rolls 12 and 13 through the` medium of pinions 30 engaged by the external gear 27 and secured respectively to the shafts 10 and 11 to which the rolls l2 and 13 are secured.

When using the directory, the small characters printed or otherwise displayed upon the ribbon 14 areviewedinthatpartofthe fieldofthe ribbon which lies between the rolls 12 and 13, Figure2,thispartoftheribbonfieldbeing maintained smooth through the medium of a pairofspacedbarguides31 beneathwhichthe ribbon 14 passes, as clearly shown in Figure :2. Inasmuch as these characters are small, for the purpose of compressing a great amount of data into small eompassfas hereinb'efore described.-

of the directory, as'hereinv termediate of its ends the spring switch plate 35 is intersected by the shaft 2l, and, at its free end it forms a make or break terminal 36 adapted to contact with or be released from a plate contact member 37 secured to the inside face of the insulating casing member 9'. and in circuit with a lamp conductor 38. The spring switch 35 is inwardly bowed intermediate its ends and tends to move its free end terminal 36 away from the terminal 37. In so doing, it also tends to move the shaft-21 to its inner or idle position due to the fact that the intermediate portion of the spring switch 35 which surrounds the shaft 21 bears against an insulating block 39 mounted on the shaft 2l and which in turn is disposed against astop 40 secured to the shaft 2l. Thus, when the shaft 21 is pulled outwardly .by the hand wheel 20, the stop 40 and insulating block 39 compress the spring 35 and cause the terminals 38 and 37 to contact, which closes the light circuit. Upon the hand wheel 20 being pulled further outwardly until the driven pinion 22 engages the pinion .25, the external gear 27 is rotated integrally with the pinion 25, upon turning the hand wheel 20, and hence, the pinions 30 and v the rolls 12 and 13 are turned at the high speed.

Upon still further pulling the shaft 21 outwardly until the driven pinion 22 engages the idler pinion 28, the latter turns the internal gear A28,. when the hand wheel 20- is turned, and thus through the external gear 27, which is integrall with the internal gear 28, turns the pinions 30 and hence the rolls 12 and 13 at the slow speed.

The purpose of the differential speeds at which the rolls 12 and 13 are rotated, and a preferable arrangement of the characters upon the film or ribbon 14, will now be described. An 1nspection of Figures l and 5 will show that I have subdivided the grouping of the characters upon the ribbon 14 into four smaller relatively lateral groups each arranged longitudinally cf the nlm 14, such groups being indicated by the characters 55, 58, 57, and 58, respectively'each laterally adjacent pair of small groups being separated by a spacing such as "41", each of the small groups 55, 58, 57, and 58 being further subdivided longitudinally by spacings 42, such smallest groups being indicated by the character "59". I'he longitudinal dimension of the group 52 is substantially the same as the distance between the bar guides 31 or, in other words. substantially the longitudinal dimension of the lneld of vision, so that four laterally adjacent groups 59" will occupy substantially the entire field of vision, each group 59. being within the neld of one of the magnifyinglenses 32. 'The purpose of the lateral subdivisions, illustrated by the characters 55, 58, 57, and 58, is to insure that the field of withtholettersfosmingthelettsrhichthepartieularname ooughtis 'Ihisextremeammtottmningis toaccommodataailofthenames' into the field of vision by an amount of turning less than thisl maximum.

ywith each 4the turning of the hand After pulling the hand wheel 20 outwardly so as to cause the driven pinion 22 to engage the pinion 25, the turning of the hand wheel 20 causes the rolls l2 and 13 and ribbon 14 to be turned rapidly, which rapid rotation is continued until that part of the ribbon upon which the desired name appears approaches the field of vision. In order plainly to indicate when the desired area of the ribbon 14 approaches .the field of vision, I provide a seriesof pointers 43,k one for each of the lenses 32 and the laterally adjacent groupings 55, 56, 57, and 58, whichl pointers have fields of lateral travel over the respective several groupings and -which travel adjacent the several letters of the alphabet associated with the respective groupings, so as to register in vertical alignment letter as the names commencing with that letter enter the field of vision. Thereafter,

upon pulling the hand wheel 20 outwardly until the driven pinion 22 engages the idler pinion 28, wheel 20 effects the slow rate of travel of the ribbon 14, by reason of the rotation of the rolls 12 and 13 from the internalgear 26, `thus permitting the ready spotting of the desired name. A

The cross travel of the pointers 43 is effected by an idler pinion 44 engaged by the pinion 30 secured to the roll shaft 10, said idler pinion 44 being mounted upon a pin 45 supported in the casing 1 and engaging a pinion 46 secured to a shaft 47 mounted in the casing 1, upon which shaft 47 is formed a screw element 48, engaging a traveling nut 49 formed integrally with a follower 50 to which the pointers 43 are attached. The follower 50 slides transversely ofthe casing 1 in a guide 51 formed adjacently beneath one edge of the top surface of the casing 1, the pointers 43 traveling beneath a glass panel 60 disposed in said surface adjacently interiorly of said edge.r

The operation of my improved directory, which will be readily understood from` the aforegoing descriptionand the accompanying drawing, is es sentially as follows: The hand wheel 20 and hence the driven pinion "22 will be in their respective inner positions, illustrated by the full line position of the hand wheel 20, Figure `3, any time that the directory is not in use, due to the'spring` tension of the'lamp switch 35, and the lamp 33 will be off. At any such 'idle period, there will be desiring next to use the within that part of the ribbon eld between the guide rods 31 some one set of four laterally adjacent groupings 59, within one of which groupings 59 will be the name and telephone number of the subscriber last previouslyl looked for. When directory, the operator willA crmmence to pull the hand wheel 20 outwardly, first resulting in spring switch 35 to close the lamp circuit, after which the continued pulling outwardly of the hand wheel 20 will engage the driven pinion 22 with the pinion 25, so that the ribbon 14 can be speedily turned, either as desired, to bring into the field of vision those names commencing with the letter of the alphabet corresponding with the first letter of the name being sought. Whether this desired name commences with A, G, M, or T", for instance, this rapid turning of the ribbon 14 will be essentially the same, although there would be some difference in the amount of rapid turning for the four groupings 59, because a substantially uniform number of names in each grouping requires that some groupings include more letters of the alphathe compression of the forwardly or backward1y bet than other groupings. shown in the accompanying drawing the longitudinal grouping- 55 comprising, of course, several small groupings 59, to cover four letters, the grouping 56 to cover six letters, the grouping 57 to cover seven letters, and the grouping 58 to cover nine letters. The above-mentioned letters A,G,M, and T, are merely illustrative because F, N, and V, and many other combinations areillustrative of one letter from each of the longitudinal groupings 55, 56, 57 and When the letter of the alphabet with which the desired subscribers name commencesenters the iield vof vision, or is about to enter such field, as indicated by the proper pointer 43, the hand wheel 20 is pulled to its outermost position, causing thedriven pinion 22 to engage `with the idler pinion 28, after which the hand wheel 20 can be turned to effect the comparatively slow movement of the ribbon 14 so as to permit the spotting of the desired name and the obtaining of the corresponding telephone number. Upon release of the hand wheel 20, it and the shaft 21 and driven pinion 22 are moved to their respective innermost positions, under the influence of the spring switch 35, the terminal 36 being pulled away from the terminal 37, thus turning oi the lamp 33.

A modified arrangement of the control and actuating elements of my improved directory is shownin Figure 7. In this form of apparatus, the lamp switch 6l is a `flexible spring plate secured at one end to an insulating lug 62 projecting from the inner face of the 'insulating case 9 into the chamber 63, said plate normally maintaining itself in a plane parallel 'with the longitudinal axis of the casing 1, but being movable out of said plane by two insulating collars 64 secured to the shaft 21, one such coll'ar 64 upon each side and adjacent to the spring switch 61, upon the inward or outward movement of the shaft 21. Upon such inward or outward move-` ment of the shaft 21, the free end of the spring switch 61 contacts with one or the other leaves.

of a U-shaped electrical contact 65 secured to the inside face of the insulating casing 9 and in circuit with the lamp 33. In this form of apparatus, the idle position of the shaft 21 and driven pinion 22 liesbetween the positions which it occupies during high speed and low speed operations of the device. When the high speed operation is desired, the shaft 21 is pushed inwardly by the hand wheel 20, resulting in the lighting of the lamp through contact of the spring switch 61 with the left-hand leaf of the terminal 65, and then causingv the driven pinion 22 to engage with the pinion 25, resulting in the high speed operation of the device. When the low speed operation is desired, the shaft 21 is pulled outwardly by the hand wheel 20, resulting in the lighting of the lamp byv reason of the engagement of the spring switch 61 with the right-hand leaf of the terminal 65, and then resulting in the engagement of the driven pinion 22 with the idler pinion 28, which effects the low speed operation. Inthis form of apparatus, if the position of the ribbon 14 is such, whenever it is desired to use the directory, that the desired name is close enough to the field of ,vision as not to require high speed operation of the apparatus, then it is unnecessary to move the shaft 21 and driven pinion 22 through their high speed positions in order tc effect the necessary gear which will produce the low speed operation.

What I claim is:4

engagement A A l pinion in an intermediate .tobe

end, said shaft being 1. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, s. flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound'from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, means for turning the rolls including a movable operating membenextended exteriorly oi' the casing member and a plurality of selective varying speed mechanisms intermediate of and connected to said operating member and. said rolls, said selective varying speed mechanisms comprising a pinion rotatable by said operating member, a transmission element having an external gear operatively connected to said rolls and also having an internal gear, and two transmission means operable by said pinion in different positions of said movable operating member, one of which transmission means is secured to said transmission element and the other of which engages the internal gear of said transmission -element.

2. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a exible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, means for turning the rolls including a movable operating member extended exteriorly of the casing member, said operating member being manually adjustable inwardly and outwardly of the casing member, a lamp supported by the casing member and adapted to illuminate the field of the ribbon between the rolls, and conductors for the lamp including in part a flexible spring switch, said switch being normally open and tending to hold the operating member in an inmost and ineffective position, said switch and the roll-turning means becoming effective by the adjustment of the operating member outwardly.

3. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing member and having one end extended therefrom and'an operating wheel secured to said extendedI end, said shaft being movable inwardly and outwardly of the casing member, means tending to hold the shaft normally in its inmost position. a driven pinion secured to the inner end of said shaft, a second pinion mounted in the casing' member and adapted to be engaged by the driven position of the shaft, an internal gear and an external gear mounted in said casing member and formed integrally one with the other and with said second pinion, an idler pinion in engagement with the internal gear and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in the outmost position of the shaft, and means for turning the rolls from the external gear, the

outward movement of the shaft effecting first the ent of the driven pinion with the second pinion and then the pinion and the engagement of the driven pinion with the idler pinion.

4. A directory comprising a casing member, rollsnmounted therein, a exible ribbon adapted wound upon and lmwoimd from the rolls by the rotation ot the la said ribbon having ,characters displayed thereon. a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing member and having one end extended therefrom and an operating wheel secured to said extended movable inwardly and out- `switch, second,

Vmounted in the casing wardly of the casing member, means tending to hold the shaft' normally in its inmost position. a driven pinion secured to the inner end of said shaft, asecond pinion mounted in the casing member .and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in an intermediate position of the shaft, an internal gear and an external gear mounted in said casing member and formed' integrally one with the other and with said second pinion,

an idler pinion in engagement with the internal gear and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in the outmost position of the shaft, a' pair of shafts to which the respective rolls are secured, pnions secured to said shafts and engaging the external gear, the outward movement of the firstmentioned shaft by said operating wheel effecting in sequence, first, the 'engagement of the driven pinion with the second pinion, and then the disengagement of the driven pinion and the second pinion and the engagement of the driven pinion with the idler pinion. l

5. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, a magnifying lens supported by the casing member and whose ileld coincides with the path of travel of the film between adjacent rolls, a lamp supported by the casing member and adapted to illuminate said field, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing member and having one end extended therefrom and an operating wheel secured to said extended end, said shaft being movable inwardly and outwardly of member, means tending to hold the shaft normally in its inmost position, a driven pinion secured to the inner end of said shaft, a second pinion mounted in the casing member and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in an intermediate position of the shaft, an internal gear and an external gear mounted .in said casing member and formed integrally one with the other and with said second pinion, an idler pinion in engagement with the internal gear and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in the outmost position of the shaft, means for turning the rolls from the external gear, conductors for the lamp including in part a exible spring switch, said switch being normally open and beingthe means that tend to hold the mst-mentioned shaft in its inmost position, the outward movement of said shaft by said operating wheel against the resistance of the spring eecting in sequence the following stages of operation, first, the closing of the lamp the engagement of the driven pinion with the second pinion, and third, the disengagement of the driven pinion and the second pinion and the engagement of the driven pinion with the idler pinion.

6. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwoxmd from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, a magnifying lens supported by the caspath of travel of the film between adiacent rolls, a lamp supported by the casing member and adapted to illuminate said field, a shaft rotatably member and having one end extended therercm secured to said extended end, said shaft being movable inwardly and outwardly of the casing the casing and an operating wheel` vmally in its inmost position,

, the respective rolls are lpinion mounted in the casing member rolls mounted therein,

hold the shaft nora driven pinion secured to the inner end of said shaft, a second pinion mounted in the casingmember and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in an intermediate position of the shaft, an internal gear and an external gear mounted in said casing member and formed integrally one with the other and with said second pinion, an idler pinion in engagement with the internal gear and adapted member, means tending to vto be engaged by the driven pinion in the outmost pair of shafts to which secured, pinions secured to said pair of shafts and engaging'the external gear, conductors for the lamp, the outward movement of the first-mentioned shaft by said operating wheel effecting in sequence, first, the engagement of the driven pinion with the second pinion, and then the disengagement of the driven pinion and the second pinion and the engagement of the driven pinion with the idler pinion.

7. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed position of the shaft, a4

thereon, a magnifying lens supported bythe cas-v ing member and whosefleld coincides with the path of travel of the film between adjacent rolls, a lamp supported lby the casing member and adapted toilluminate said field, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing member and having one end extended therefrom and an operating wheel secured to said extended end, said shaft being movable inwardly and outwardly of the casing member, means tending to `hold the shaft normally in its inmost position, a driven pinion secured to the inner end of saidshaft, a second and adapted `to be engaged by the driven pinion in an intermediate position of the shaft, an internal gear and an external gear mounted in said casing member and formed integrally one with the other and with said second pinion, an idler pinion in engagement with the internal gear and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in the outmost position of the shaft, a pair of shafts to which the respective rolls are secured, pinions secured to said pair of shafts and engaging the external gear, conductors for the lamp including in part a flexible spring switch, said switch being normally open and being the means that tend to hold the first-mentioned shaft in its inmost position, the outwardmovement of said shaft by said operating wheel against the resistance of the spring effecting in sequence the following stages of operation, first, the closing of the lamp switch, second, the engagement of the driven pinion with the second pinion, of the driven pinion and the second pinion and the engagement of the driven pinion with the idler pinion, a second idler pinion engaging one of the pinions secured to said pair of shafts, a screw' mounted transversely of the path of travel of the ribbon and having secured thereto a pinion engaging said second idlerpinion, a traveling nut engaged by said screw, a follower secured to said nut, and a pointer secured to'said follower. 8. A directory comprising a. casing member, a flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls 1 by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying, characters displayed thereon and arranged in a plurality of relatively laterally arranged rows each comprising longiand third, the disengagement tudinally arranged characters, a pointer for each row of characters movable transversely of the field of travel of the ribbon,.a plurality of series of characters mounted on the casing adjacent the respective pointers and respectively related to the characters of said plurality of rows of characters, meansfor turning the rolls including a movable operating member extended exteriorly of the casing member and a plurality of selective varying speed mechanisms intermediate of and connected to said operating member and said rolls, and means controlled by the roll-turning ,means for moving the pointers.

9. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a'multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, a movable .operating member extended exteriorly of the` casing member, said operating Vmember being manually adjustable inwardly and outwardly of the casing member, a lamp supported by the casing member and adapted to illuminate the field of the ribbon betweenthe rolls, conductors for the lamp including in part `a flexible spring switch, said switch being 'normally open and tending to hold the operating vmember in an ineffective intermediate position,

and selective high speed and low speed mechaupon the, two sides of nlsms located respectively the intermediate position of the operating mem-` ber, said speed mechanisms being connected to said operating member and said rolls.

l0. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a flexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing member and having one end extended therefrom and an operating wheel secured to said extended end, said shaft being movable inwardly and outwardly of the casing member, hold the shaft normally in an intermediate ineffective position, a driven pinion secured to the inner end of said shaft, a second pinion mounted in the casing member and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in the inmost positionof the shaft, an internal gear and an external gear mounted in said casing member and formed integrally one with the other and with said second pinion, an idler pinion in engagement with the internal gear and adapted to be engaged by the driven pinion in the outmost position of the shaft, and means for turning the rolls from the external gear, the movement of the shaftv to its inmost position eifecting'the engagement of the driven pinion with the second pinion, ment of the shaft to its outmost position effecting the engagement of the driven pinion with the idler pinion.

l1. A directory comprising a casing member, rolls mounted therein, a to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls by the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a multiplicity of varying characters displayed thereon, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing member and having one end extended therefrom and an operating wheel secured to said extended end, said shaft being movable relatively to the f ;Iing the rolls fromthe external gear, gear eleexible ribbon adapted' means tending to and the movee 6 v :,veazea i gear moimtedinthecasingmember-,saidgearsbeing pointers.

same

ments respectively e by said driven pinameter than said internal gear, means rotatably ion in diiierent positions of said shaft. one of connectingsaid driven'pinion to said gears in an said gear elements being xed to said transmisintermediate position of the shaft, means rotatsion element, and the other oi' said gear elements ably connecting said driven pinion to said intermeshing with said internal gear. nal gear in an outer position of said shaft, and 5 12. A directory comprising a casing member. means for turning the rolls from the external rollsmountedthereimaiiexibleribbonadapted gear. to be wound upon and unwound from the rolls 14. A directory comprising a casing member, by the rotation o! the latter. said ribbon having a rolls mounted therein, a ilexible ribbon adapted multiplicity otvaryingcharacters dlsplayedthereto be wound upon and unwound from the rolls 1o on, means i'or turning the mils includinga manby the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having a ually movable operating memberl extended extemultiplicity of' varying characters displayed riorly ot the casing member, a lamp supported thereon and arranged in a plurality of relatively by the casing member' and adapted to illumimte laterally arranged rows each comprising longithe field oi the ribbon between the rolls, and a tudinally arranged characters. a pointer for each 15 nexible spring switch for the lamp, said switch row of characters movable transversely oi the tending to move the operating member to one oi' neld oi' travel oi' the ribbon, said pointers being in a spaced series arranged rosswise of the cas- 13. A directory eomprising a elsing member. im?, a plurality oi' series of 'characters mounted rolls mounted therein, 4a nexible ribbon adapted on the casing adjacent the respective pointers, 2o to be woimd upon and unwound from the rolls said series o! characters comprising one row arby the rotation of the latter, said ribbon having ranged crosswiae of the casing, the characters a multiplicity or varying characters displayed or the several series being respectively related to thereon, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing the characters ot said plurality oi relatively latmember andhaving one endextendedtheretrom erally arranged rows oi characters. means for, 25 and an operating wheel secured to said extended turning the rolls including a movable operating end, said shaft being movable inwardly and outmember extended exteriorly or the casing member wardly ot the casing member. means tending to and a plurality of selective varying speed mecha anisms intermediate of and connected to said. driven pinion seemed to the inner end of said operating member andsaid rolls. and means con- 30 trolled by theroll-turning means for moving the GEORGE J. CHAPMAN. 

